NBA: Bulls' offense MIA in lopsided loss to Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins defends Chicago forward Luol Deng during the first quarter of the Bulls' loss Sunday in Oklahoma City.

BY K.C. JOHNSON
Chicago Tribune

OKLAHOMA CITY – Add Russell Westbrook to those who speculate Derrick Rose will return on his surgically repaired left knee sometime this season.

“I see that he’s getting better,” the Thunder’s All-Star point guard said. “He’s almost close to coming back.”

Then again, Westbrook said he hasn’t talked much lately with his summer workout partner. So as with most things regarding Rose, who knows?

This is for sure: The Bulls’ offense, dead on arrival Sunday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena, could use him badly. Posting season-lows for shooting percentage (29.1), field goals (25) and assists (14), the Bulls meekly fell 102-72 to the Thunder.

The Bulls also lost Taj Gibson to a sprained left knee in the fourth.

The Bulls defended Kevin Durant well. The league’s leading scorer had 19 points and shot 6-for-19 but added 16 rebounds.

Westbrook scored 23. Serge Ibaka had 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Carlos Boozer scored two points. Nate Robinson shot 2-for-14.

“Some nights, they’re not going to score as many points as they would like, but they always stay in the game with their physical toughness,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said pregame.